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22 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are antiseptics?
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Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection.
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What is sanitation?
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The state of being clean and conducive to health.
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What is disinfection?
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To cleanse so as to destroy or prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Disinfectants are substances that are applied to inanimate objects to destroy microorganisms that are living on the objects.
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What is sterilization?
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Term referring to any process that eliminates or kills all forms of life, including transmissible agents present on a surface, contained in a fluid, in medication or in a compound such as biological culture media. Can be achieved by applying the proper combinations of heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration.
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Explain surgical instrument care.
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Use deionized or distilled water if possible to avoid excess salt and try to maintain a neutral pH (never use saline)
Clean instruments with box locks open where blood might be trapped Ultrasonic cleaner Lubricate instruments with instrument milk |
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How can you protect instruments to prevent damage?
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Sharp instruments have protection covers
Instruments are disassembled and ratchets are left open and unlocked. |
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How is a pack setup?
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The instruments are wrapped inside the inner blue wrap, protected until the surgeons are gowned and gloved.
Important when preparing a pack to tuck in all corners and wrap the pack tightly to ensure sterility is maintained. |
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What is the indication of chemical sterilization?
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Provides verification that the inside of the pack was exposed to appropriate sterilization temperatures for the appropriate length of time but do NOT confirm sterility.
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What are the methods of instrument and pack sterilization?
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1. Moist heat in form of saturated steam under pressure
2. Ethylene oxide - gas 3. Low temperature plasma - peroxide 4. Ionizing radiation 5. Cold chemical - glutaldehyde or hydrogen peroxide |
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What does the autoclave do?
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Utilizes steam under pressure to achieve sterilization. Heat is the killing agent. Steam is the vector that supplies the heat and promotes penetration of heat. Pressure is the means to create adequately heated steam.
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What are the advantages of autoclaving?
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Consistently achieves complete sterility.
Inexpensive and easy to operate. Safe for most surgical instruments and equipment, drapes and gowns, suture materials, sponges and some plastics and rubbers. |
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What are the disadvantages of autoclaving?
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Staff may overestimate the ability of the autoclave.
Can destroy plastics, rubber Dulls sharp instruments Destroys fiber optic lens |
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What are the 2 basic types of sterilizers?
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1. Pre-vacuum
2. Gravity displacement |
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What are the major differences between pre-vacuum and gravity displacement sterilizers?
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Pre-vacuum: depends on mechanical removal of air from chamber and packs
Gravity: the air is displaced by steam with gravity as the force pushing the air out. |
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Describe gravity displacement.
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Water is heated in a chamber and continued heating creates pressure. Steam displaces air within the chamber forcing it out through a vent. Cycle timing begins when the temperature reaches at least 250 degrees F.
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Advantages of pre-vacuum autoclaves.
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More efficient at air removal
Pre-vacuum air removal eliminates air pockets from all load types and maximizes steam penetration to instrument components. |
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Autoclave temp, pressure and time.
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Temperature - 250 degrees F
Pressure - 15 psi Time - 30 minutes exposure |
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Describe chamber loading of autoclaves.
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1. Must allow free circulation of steam
2. Linen packs have 2.5 cm to 7.5 cm space between 3. Paper/plastic pouches are placed in specially designed baskets that support them on edge with the paper side of each package facing the plastic side of the adjacent package 4. Solid bowls or basins are placed upside down or on edge 5. Mixed loads have wrapped goods on upper shelf. |
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Describe low temperature plasma sterilization.
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1. Non-toxic
2. Fast turn around time (28 min) 3. Combination of UV light and free radicals destroy the bacteria |
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Disadvantages of plasma sterilization.
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1. Can not sterilize linens or cellulose materials
2. Cannot sterilize liquids 3. Expensive 4. Instruments must be completely dry 5. Outer wraps must be non-woven polypropylene |
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How do you know materials are sterile?
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1. Autoclave tape
2. Indicator strips 3. Biological indicators |
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How should you store sterile items?
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1. Use appropriate wrapping materials
2. Cool, dry, humidity controlled room 3. Closed or covered cabinets 4. Minimal handling |
